OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:01:55
Transcript — Verbatim
2:01

I'd like to call the meeting of the city council public finance and authority to order.

2:05

Madam Clerk may have the roll call, please.

2:09

Councilman Grohl.

2:11

Here.

2:12

Councilman Kennedy.

2:13

Here.

2:14

Mayor Potem Twine.

2:15

Here.

2:16

Councilman Burns.

2:18

Present.

2:19

Mayor McKeon.

2:20

Here.

2:21

Councilwoman Vandermark.

2:23

Here.

2:23

Councilman Williams?

2:24

Here.

2:25

All present.

2:27

Madam Clerk, do we have any supplemental communications?

2:30

Yes.

2:31

For closed session, item number one, one email received regarding conference with labor negotiators concerning Huntington Beach Police Officers Association.

2:42

Number three, one email received regarding conference with labor negotiators concerning the Huntington Beach Firefighters Association, HBFA.

2:55

We have no one signed up to speak.

2:57

All right.

2:58

Close session announcement included in closed session.

3:00

Conference with Labor negotiators, Government Code Section Five Four Nine Five Seven Point Six.

4:30

We can see uh giving all the love that we share, and it's all I'm living for every day, every day.

4:41

Every day, so I'm so glad that Jamaican, good evening.

5:06

I'd like to reconvene the regular meeting of the City Council, Public Financing Authority, Madam Clerk, may I have the roll call, please.

5:16

Councilman Gruell.

5:18

Here.

5:19

Councilman Kennedy.

5:20

Here.

5:20

Mayor Pro Tem Twining.

5:22

Here.

5:22

Mayor McKeon.

5:23

Here.

5:24

Councilman Burns.

5:25

Present.

5:25

Councilwoman Vandermark?

5:27

Here.

5:27

Councilman Williams.

5:28

Yes.

5:29

All present.

5:30

Thank you.

5:30

Tonight's invocation will be given by Heinty Beach Police and Fire Chaplain Roger Wing.

5:37

Would you please join with me in prayer as we ask God's blessing on this evening's city council meeting?

5:44

Lord, we thank you for bringing us back together again to discuss the issues of our city and to seek your guidance and direction to each council member as they prayerfully consider the direction that you would give them tonight.

5:58

We pray for your wisdom and guidance as they discuss each of the issues on the agenda.

6:04

May you lead them as they make important decisions this evening.

6:07

And may you bring your peace, unity, and harmony through all the discussions.

6:13

We also come together with gratitude for your faithfulness and blessing upon our city, our state, and our nation.

6:20

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and vision of those who came before us.

6:31

We thank you for the freedoms we enjoy and for the enduring principles of liberty, justice, and unity that we pray will continue to guide our nation through every generation.

6:43

As we enter the busy summer season, we pray for safety throughout our city.

6:49

Protect our families and citizens, the visitors enjoying our beaches and our local businesses, and the men and women who work the long hours to serve and protect the public during these active months.

7:03

Give strength to our police officers, firefighters, lifeguards, and public servants who faithfully care for others.

7:11

Lord, we ask for your wisdom and discernment for our city council this evening.

7:15

Our mayor, city staff, first responders, and all who serve our community.

7:21

Grant them clarity and decision making, integrity and leadership, and a spirit of cooperation as they work for the good of all of our citizens.

7:30

And we ask all these things in your precious and most holy name, Jesus.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning███████████████15%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Cannabis Regulation████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Economic Development████████8%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council met on June 2, 2026, to address a wide range of issues including an appeal to expand alcohol sales at Distractions Lounge, adoption of the housing element update, budget review, and approval of casino advertising on lifeguard towers. The meeting featured extensive public comment and council debate. Key votes included approval of a conditional use permit for hard alcohol sales, a continuance of the housing element adoption, and authorization for casino ads on beach towers.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 18 through 22 and 24 were approved unanimously (6-0) with the exception of item 23, which was pulled for discussion. Item 23, a grant application for Greer Park improvements, later passed 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • I-20 Free Grant: Amory Hanson spoke in support of a grant to improve flood control at Jack Gray Park.
  • Distractions Lounge Appeal: Multiple speakers, including Ocean View School District board members and residents, opposed the expansion to a full liquor license citing proximity to Westmont Elementary School, police calls, and public safety concerns. Speakers described incidents of intoxication, fights, and a rape report associated with the establishment. A resident living behind the bar reported drunk people entering his property. The applicant's representative argued the business has operated since the 1960s and that the new conditions would improve oversight.
  • Lifeguard Tower Advertising: Several speakers opposed allowing casino advertising on beach towers, arguing it normalizes gambling and conflicts with family values. Others supported the revenue opportunity.
  • Housing Element: Speakers urged adoption to avoid escalating fines (currently $50,000/month) and loss of local control. Some residents criticized the city's costly legal fight.
  • Budget: Pat Goodman expressed concerns about structural deficits and use of reserves. Eric Evans urged against cutting fire prevention positions.
  • Library Donation: Paula Schaefer criticized the council for not accepting an $825,000 donation from Friends of the Library for books.
  • Other: Speakers also addressed the need for district-based voting, AI scam prevention events, and support for the mounted police unit.

Discussion Items

  • Distractions Lounge Conditional Use Permit (Item 13): The council considered an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval to upgrade from beer/wine to a Type 48 liquor license. Staff presented conditions including security cameras, limited hours, and a 25% increase in police calls trigger for review. Councilman Williams made a motion to deny based on detrimental impact on the community and school. That motion failed 2-4 (Gruel, Williams yes; Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns no). Mayor McKeon then moved to approve with findings and conditions. That motion passed 4-2 (Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns yes; Gruel, Williams no).
  • Housing Element Update (Item 14): Staff presented the revised housing element to comply with a court order. A motion to continue to June 16, 2026, for further review passed 6-0-1 (Burns did not vote).
  • Budget Study Session (Item 16): The council discussed the proposed FY 2026-27 budget, including dock repairs at the harbor ($400,000 for full replacement), potential batting cage improvements, and Central Park irrigation planning. A motion to receive the proposed budget and set adoption for June 16 passed 6-0-1.
  • City Treasurer's Report: Staff introduced the new MyMeter online portal for water customers, launching June 15, aimed at reducing paper costs.
  • Brown Act Modernization (Item 25): An ordinance and resolution to comply with SB 707 (remote participation, disruptive behavior policy) were adopted unanimously.
  • Lifeguard Tower Advertising Amendment (Item 26): Councilmembers proposed allowing copy content related to resorts and casinos for Yamava Resort and Casino, generating an estimated $330,000 in six months. A motion to approve exclusively for Yamava passed 4-2 (Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns yes; Gruel, Williams no).

Key Outcomes

  • Distractions Lounge: CUP approved (4-2) allowing hard alcohol sales subject to 26 conditions.
  • Housing Element: Continuance to June 16 (6-0-1).
  • Budget: Proposed budget received, adoption scheduled June 16 (6-0-1).
  • Lifeguard Tower Advertising: Amendment approved (4-2) for casino advertising limited to Yamava.
  • Brown Act Modernization: Adopted unanimously.
  • Greer Park Grant: Resolution authorizing grant application to OCTA passed 6-0.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call the meeting of the city council public finance and authority to order. Madam Clerk may have the roll call, please. Councilman Grohl. Here. Councilman Kennedy. Here. Mayor Potem Twine. Here. Councilman Burns. Present. Mayor McKeon. Here. Councilwoman Vandermark. Here. Councilman Williams? Here. All present. Madam Clerk, do we have any supplemental communications? Yes. For closed session, item number one, one email received regarding conference with labor negotiators concerning Huntington Beach Police Officers Association. Number three, one email received regarding conference with labor negotiators concerning the Huntington Beach Firefighters Association, HBFA. We have no one signed up to speak. All right. Close session announcement included in closed session. Conference with Labor negotiators, Government Code Section Five Four Nine Five Seven Point Six. We can see uh giving all the love that we share, and it's all I'm living for every day, every day. Every day, so I'm so glad that Jamaican, good evening. I'd like to reconvene the regular meeting of the City Council, Public Financing Authority, Madam Clerk, may I have the roll call, please. Councilman Gruell. Here. Councilman Kennedy. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Twining. Here. Mayor McKeon. Here. Councilman Burns. Present. Councilwoman Vandermark? Here. Councilman Williams. Yes. All present. Thank you. Tonight's invocation will be given by Heinty Beach Police and Fire Chaplain Roger Wing. Would you please join with me in prayer as we ask God's blessing on this evening's city council meeting? Lord, we thank you for bringing us back together again to discuss the issues of our city and to seek your guidance and direction to each council member as they prayerfully consider the direction that you would give them tonight. We pray for your wisdom and guidance as they discuss each of the issues on the agenda. May you lead them as they make important decisions this evening. And may you bring your peace, unity, and harmony through all the discussions.

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